The Seed Science Center - Iowa State University

The Seed Science Center
AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
A place where great minds meet
to solve the food and fuel challenges of tomorrow.
The Seed Science Center at Iowa State University is
a center of excellence nationally and internationally
in seed research, education, technology transfer, and
international seed programs. The center provides
a focus for teaching, research, and extension
programs on seed in the College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences at Iowa State and is a global leader
in introducing science into policy to benefit world
seed trade. Seed Science Center faculty members
are committed to providing quality research and
education to produce the next generation of leaders
in the seed industry.
Seed Testing Laboratory
The Seed Science Center is home to the largest
public seed testing laboratory in the world. For
over 100 years, the laboratory has provided accurate
and professional seed-testing services for
members of the seed industry. The laboratory,
which performs tests on as many as 40,000 seed
samples annually, is recognized as a leader in seed
health testing.
In addition to being ISO 9001:2008 and
National Seed Health System Certified, the
Iowa State University Seed Testing Laboratory is
recognized as a member lab of the Association
of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) and has
the capability to test over 300 pathogens for
phytosanitary certification.
The Iowa State University Seed Testing
Laboratory prides itself in offering the most up-todate
and comprehensive services available in the
seed-testing industry. Certified seed technologists
and analysts with over 157 years of collective
experience routinely perform traditional seed
tests (noxious weed exams, germination, purity,
tetrazolium, accelerated aging, cultivar purity, and
cold tests) as well as trait tests (herbicide bioassay,
ELISA, PCR, and IEF). For more information
about the Iowa State Seed Testing Laboratory visit
www.seeds.iastate.edu/seedtest.
Distance Education
Graduate Degree
in Seed Technology
and Business
The Graduate Program in Seed Technology
and Business is a master’s degree program
developed to provide a unique opportunity for
seed professionals to grow by gaining a better
understanding of the science, technology, and
management that is key to the seed industry.
Students from 17 countries have taken part in
this distance education program that is offered
over the Internet and integrates coursework
from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
with that of the College of Business at Iowa State
University. Available to students world-wide,
course curriculum covers topics such as seed
production and genetic improvement along
with business administration courses. Graduate
certificates in seed science and technology and
seed business management are also offered. Visit
www.seedgrad.iastate.edu to learn more.
Seed Science and Technology Research
Scientists at Iowa State University have been
conducting research on seed technology since
1890. Seed Science Center faculty members that
specialize in seed physiology, seed pathology, and
seed conditioning conduct cutting-edge research
on sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, crop
utilization, computer technologies, microbiology,
toxicology, and molecular biology.
DNA Testing and PCR Methodologies
The DNA Seed Testing Lab at Iowa State
University provides routine DNA seed testing
services such as seed health testing, Low-Level
Presence of genetic engineered plant materials in
seed, and plant genotyping. The lab also offers a
variety of special services by request including
assay development and validation of PCR
premixes and DNA sample preps, and it provides
accurate and expert scientific advice for external
costumers. Group or one-on-one training is also
available.
For more information about Seed Science
Center DNA testing services, visit www.seeds.
iastate.edu/pages/dna.html.
www.seeds.iastate.edu

SEED SCIENCE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
—The Seed Science Center houses the largest
public seed testing laboratory in the world.
Global Seed Program
Working to provide access to quality seed,
facilitating seed trade, and promoting the growth
and development of the seed industry are
important missions of the Seed Science Center’s
Global Seed Program. In the past 12 years, center
scientists have designed and conducted programs
in over 70 countries around the world to achieve
these goals.
Global Seed Program efforts include policy
and regulatory harmonization in phytosanitary
measures, plant variety protection, variety
evaluation and registration, seed certification, and
development of national seed laws. In addition,
scientists working with the program have created
10 process management manuals that serve as
definitive resource materials on seed and biosafety
policies and regulation.
Program scientists are currently managing
on-going projects in 30 countries. Recent
activities have included the development of a
Seed Enterprise Management Institute (SEMIs)
in Kenya, establishment of the West Africa Seed
Alliance (WASA), and the harmonization of seed
policy in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC). Scientists also facilitate
international training and workshops designed to
enhance seed policy and to educate and provide
assistance to stakeholders at all levels of the seed
industry.
To learn more about the Global Seed Program at
Iowa State University, contact jcortes@iastate.edu.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age,
religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status,
disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director
of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3680 Beardshear Hall, 515 294-7612.
Training and Workshops
The Seed Science Center has been providing
valuable training opportunities and workshops
for seed industry professionals domestically for
over 35 years. Held from April through August,
the workshops focus on seed testing and cleaning,
gravity separation, color sorting, and other topics
of interest to those in the seed industry. Visit
www.seeds.iastate.edu/seedtest/training/index.html
for more information.
Scholarships
Each year the Seed Science Center partners with
the Iowa Seed Association to provide graduate
and undergraduate scholarships for students
enrolled in the Iowa State University College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences. Scholarships are
awarded to students that demonstrate exemplary
character, high academic records, leadership
skills, and promise for a career in the seed
industry. To learn more, write seedsci@iastate.
edu.
For More Information
For a complete listing of Seed Science Center
faculty, staff, research, news, or publications, visit
our Website at:
www.seeds.iastate.edu or contact:
Manjit K. Misra, Director
Dean’s Chair for Distinction
College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences
102A Seed Science Building
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-3228
Phone: 515-294-6821
Fax: 515-294-2014
mkmisra@iastate.edu
Connie Sandve
Center Administrator
102A Seed Science Building
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-3228
Phone: 515-294-6821
Fax: 515-294-2014
csandve@iastate.edu
—In the past 12 years, center scientists have
facilitated projects on seed policy and regulations
in over 70 countries around the world (on-going
projects are currently being conducted in 30
countries).
—Center faculty have developed 10 process
management manuals that serve as training
resource materials on seed and biosafety policies
and regulation in countries around the globe.
—The USDA designated the center to administer
the National Seed Health System.
—The center offers the nation’s only undergraduate
seed science degree.
—The center’s Graduate Program in Seed
Technology and Business is the only one of its kind
in the world. Graduates from 17 countries have
taken part in the program.
—The center’s interdisciplinary graduate minor ‘Risk
Analysis and Decision-making’ is one of only three
courses in the U.S. on the topic of risk assessment
for the biological sciences.
—The FAO signed an agreement with the center
to conduct global programs on seed policies and
regulation.
—Center outreach and education efforts include an
annual BIGMAP symposium, 22
domestic workshops per
year, publication of the Iowa
Seed & Biosafety
newsletter, and visiting
scientist and fellow
programs to name a few.
S E E D S C I E N C E
C E N T E R
Quality Seeds to Feed
and Fuel the World